A change in policy might be in order for Icelandic students and their mobile phones after a student at an Akureyri school contacted The Office of Ombudsman for Children to defend his right to possess a cell phone in school.
The debate initiated after a teacher confiscated the students cell phone during school hours. After the phone was taken, the teacher refused to return the cell phone until the conclusion of the school day.
Many parents and teachers are concerned that the usage of smartphones is starting to distract students from their education. The controversy that resulted was whether or not the teacher has the right to take the student´s personal belonging without their consent.
On the website of, The Office of Ombudsman for Children, it is stated that the teachers do not have the right to take a student´s possessions unless they pose immediate danger to the student population.
Subsequently, it was decided to change the school´s rules in order to deal with the problem of cell phone usage during school hours. Students can now get in trouble if they refuse to put their cell phones away and parents can be notified after repeated violations.
A change in policy might be in order for Icelandic students and their mobile phones after a student at an Akureyri school contacted The Office of Ombudsman for Children to defend his right to possess a cell phone in school.
The debate initiated after a teacher confiscated the students cell phone during school hours. After the phone was taken, the teacher refused to return the cell phone until the conclusion of the school day.
Many parents and teachers are concerned that the usage of smartphones is starting to distract students from their education. The controversy that resulted was whether or not the teacher has the right to take the student´s personal belonging without their consent.
On the website of, The Office of Ombudsman for Children, it is stated that the teachers do not have the right to take a student´s possessions unless they pose immediate danger to the student population.
Subsequently, it was decided to change the school´s rules in order to deal with the problem of cell phone usage during school hours. Students can now get in trouble if they refuse to put their cell phones away and parents can be notified after repeated violations.
